Tisbury’s Tashmoo Spring Building now available for events

Tisbury’s newly renovated Tashmoo Spring Building received an occupancy permit on May 18. It is now available to rent for events, with approval from the Tashmoo Spring Building pumping station area management committee.

On May 1, with the permit pending, the Tisbury selectmen appointed Patricia Carlet, Lorraine Wells, and Harriet Barrow, who served on the building’s preservation committee, to the new management committee.

The fee schedule is still subject to change, pending review by town counsel. Events are limited at this time to groups of 150 people or less. There is a discounted rate for nonprofit organizations.

Ms. Carlet said rental fees range from $100 a day for a nonprofit group to rent one room to $300 a day for the use of the entire building for a commercial art gallery show, for example. Use of the building and grounds for a wedding with 150 guests will cost $1,500. In addition, renters must obtain specialty event insurance and provide a security deposit.

Ms. Carlet told The Times that the committee has already approved and scheduled three summer events at the Tashmoo Spring Building. Those include a summer solstice puppet show and parade on June 23, the Vineyard Playhouse’s children’s theatre arts summer camp on July 9 through August 24, and an art show and “Taste of Tashmoo” benefit over Labor Day weekend.

The 1887 brick pumping station now known as the Tashmoo Spring Building was originally built to provide fresh water to West Chop. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts in 2008.

About seven years ago it was earmarked for demolition, but was rescued by the Spring Building Preservation Committee and by private, state, local, and Tisbury Community Preservation Act funds. The large chimney was stabilized, the exterior walls shored up, and windows repaired to make the building weather-tight. Floors were leveled in each of the three rooms, and restrooms were added.

The building will be open to the public during Tisbury’s Memorial Day picnic on May 28, from noon to 4 pm.

For more information about booking an event at the building, contact Ms. Carlet at 508-693-3187.